Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
Posted: Feb. 28, 2020
The following advisory has been issue by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association:
Below please find a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resources related to the potential spread of the coronavirus in the United States. The document, titled “Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), February 2020,” provides numerous links and important guidance on areas that include:
- Recommended strategies for employers to use now relating to issues that include sick employees, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene for all employees, travel planning precautions, etc.
- Planning for a possible COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S.
- Important considerations for creating an infectious disease outbreak response plan
- Links to numerous resources for additional information
The CDC link is available here.
Coronavirus is believed to have spread via live animals sold for food at a market in the city of Wuhan, China. Dr. Peter Timoney, former director of the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center, stated that there is no evidence to date confirming that horses have been found to be a host for the current coronavirus, which is good news for those concerned about interspecies communication of the virus.
In 2012, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was found to be transmitted through close exposure to camels. The interspecies communication issue will be closely watched, however, because scientists still do not know with certainty the intermediary host between certain bats that are known carriers of COVID-19 and humans.
Entities that host public events also are encouraged to coordinate with state and local officials on potential procedures and protocols during this period of heightened precaution. While U.S.-based sporting events for the most part have not been impacted to this point by the coronavirus, virtually every U.S. sports league from the NCAA to Major League Baseball is monitoring the situation closely.
The NTRA will continue to provide updates to its members as the situation evolves.